Merlo madness

Hello all from the press box at Merlo Field. The Seattle players have arrived and warmups are under way down on the field below me. Already saw a couple of Timbers scarves in the crowd. Guns n’ Roses was just playing on the loudspeaker (“Sweet Child o’ Mine”) and the people are filing in.

It’s great being from here because I know the surface streets to take me through North Portland. I-5 was a mess.

Jarrod Smith and Jared Karkas, two Sounders FC players who have been hurt, are warming up with a purpose. They are kicking the ball with Michael Fucito, who is with the team for the first time. Fucito is the fourth-round SuperDraft pick who’s been dealing with injury as well.

UPDATE 6:43 PM — Just talked to GM Adrian Hanauer and he said it doesn’t look like Fucito will play tonight, nor will Smith.